Cyprus could be well-known for its seashores and coast, however there’s some nice countryside to find on a household vacation – so save time for a day within the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge with children.
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However this isn’t one to aim until you’ve obtained a 4×4 or one thing able to driving off highway (one thing which my little rent automobile undoubtedly wasn’t as much as!) – on the finish of the day, we noticed a shiny black Mercedes selecting its means very gingerly alongside a tough observe and that wasn’t the worst highway we’d pushed by an extended shot!
So I knew that this was one household time out in Cyprus which I didn’t wish to try solo, and booked a day journey with Sunshine Safari excursions that additionally included a aspect serving to of turtles, and which ended up being the proper method to discover the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge with children too.
Whereas most of our day was about discovering one of the rugged corners of Cyprus, we began in additional leisurely style by the ocean, on the harbour in Agios Georgios.
When you arrive early, you possibly can spot loggerhead turtles coming in to choose up a number of leftovers from the fishermen, typically swimming proper as much as the boats. We weren’t fairly so fortunate however did see a number of little darkish heads popping above the waves to take a breath earlier than vanishing again below the water.
It’s superb how a lot there’s to find in only one nook of Cyprus too: after in search of turtles, we headed to the hill above the harbour for a view of Yeronisos, the little island off the coast that was as soon as dwelling to a sanctuary to Apollo.
And within the rocks, simply down from clifftop, are a number of cave tombs tucked away within the hillside – one relatively extra intricate one carved into the rock, with moulded ceiling and a number of other niches, for the wealthy, and a a lot less complicated one in an expanded cavern subsequent door for the poor. Plus a 3rd in between instance, with gouges within the wall which look identical to a face.
On that spooky word, we had a fast look inside the 2 church buildings to Saint George – a brand new one with gleaming icons and a smaller 500-year-old chapel the place generations of candles burning have left darkish marks on the ceiling.
Each with loads of representations of the saint killing the dragon (at the very least one among which seemed extra like a crocodile!)
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with children, try my prime picks
Then it was on to the Avakas Gorge earlier than the temperatures heated up an excessive amount of – though when you get previous the primary a part of the stroll, there’s loads of shade. It’s higher to return within the morning than the night, as the warmth will get trapped within the gorge through the day and it stays heat.
Strolling the Avakas Gorge with children is without doubt one of the highlights of a go to to the Akamas Nationwide Park – so it’s additionally one of the standard spots to discover, though it hardly ever appeared crowded even in peak season.
Do put on wise footwear right here (ideally waterproof sandals, however one thing with first rate grip in any other case) nevertheless it’s straightforward sufficient for youths to strive should you do.
Beginning with a stroll alongside a large path, we handed a few of the island’s endemic bushes, together with fairly pink flowering Oleander (poisonous regardless of its engaging look) in addition to an olive tree that’s considered 800 years outdated.
Conserving our eyes peeled, we noticed lizards dashing away into the undergrowth (though not the one which our information dubbed little T-Rex), butterflies, the occasional mountain goat and even heard the shrieks of eagles as we went.
Whereas there are snakes right here, they’re cautious of people, so between the thud of a strolling stick and our chatter, we by no means noticed a single slither.
Passing odd rock formations and dried up riverbeds, the trail will get narrower and narrower as you go, clambering throughout stepping stones till you attain one of many thinnest sections of the gorge, round 3m vast.
Though you possibly can discover independently right here when you’ve got a automobile which might deal with the roads (it’s straightforward sufficient to observe the opposite folks to see the gorge), I preferred that incontrovertible fact that in contrast to a few of the different excursions, our information Konstantinos additionally got here with us to elucidate what we have been seeing – and cease us getting misplaced.
To not point out sharing a string of attention-grabbing info and tales, from the altering local weather in Cyprus – winter snows within the mountains used to final for months, feeding the rivers by summer time, however barely lasted every week this yr – to tales of a hero of the Trojan Battle, who offers the nationwide park its title.
Then it was time to go firmly off highway. Till lately, we realized, there was no development in any respect allowed within the nationwide park – a latest leisure of the foundations means there’s now a brand new highway being constructed (and doubtless plans to cost for entry, though it’s nonetheless free to go to in the interim although).
In a short time, you’re driving on paths not paved surfaces, previous carob bushes – which we stopped to pattern, earlier than making an attempt to feed the pods to the skittish goats – and little yellow flowers that odor of fennel, previous rock formations that appear like a witch and a crocodile, till our winding (and bumpy!) highway broad us to Ineia.
Round 625 metres up (one other enjoyable reality, the grapes in Cyprus grown above 600m are good for wine, those decrease down are for consuming), it’s a quiet spot the place we recovered from our adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable over a standard Cypriot espresso.
Made with a particular machine, and stirred with an olive wooden stick, I’ve had it on earlier visits and love the style – surprisingly easy, there’s nothing prefer it after an early begin. Don’t attempt to drink all the way in which to the underside although, there’s often at the very least a centimetre of sediment!
The village can be dwelling to the Innia-Lara Turtle Museum, with extra element on the sorts of turtle discovered round Cyprus – loggerhead turtles and inexperienced turtles – in addition to on the creatures normally and on the threats they face.
There are actually protected areas on seashores the place nesting turtles lay their eggs, and after some extra views and a few extra steep winding roads, our penultimate vacation spot of the day was Lara Seaside, one of many seashores the place turtles come to make their nests.
These are marked with little raised steel circles, to assist shield them from predators and guarantee folks on the seashore don’t unintentionally disturb them.
Unexpectedly, we noticed one child turtle being launched into the waves as we ready for our personal swim – with some large breakers, it’s not a straightforward job for little flippers, however finally he made it out of the shallows.
I had lots of sympathy with the infant as quickly as we headed in – the surf was rougher than traditional that day, and whereas we had lots of enjoyable leaping the waves, now and again (I reckoned each 7-10th wave), got here an enormous breaker which knocked me off my ft at the very least as soon as.
We’d introduced snorkels however unsurprisingly no turtles have been making an attempt to graze on the ocean grass that day. Even should you don’t fancy battling the waves, it’s an attractive spot – there’s no shade, so not thought with youthful children until you’re bringing your personal gear.
Which solely left one ultimate spot for lunch – a really late lunch (you would possibly wish to deliver snacks!) however effectively definitely worth the wait, on the Final Citadel, again close to the Avakas Gorge.
There’s no menu right here (allow them to know upfront should you’re vegetarian or vegan) with the hilltop restaurant specialising in souvla – barbecued meat (suppose larger souvlaki!), with the selection of pork, rooster or one among every.
Accompanied by a few of the greatest chips I’ve ever seen, a scrumptious salad, contemporary bread and a few views down onto the nationwide park, there was greater than we may eat and a pricetag that’s half what you’d pay elsewhere.
The acid take a look at of whether or not a time out is admittedly good? We had a lot enjoyable, we promptly deserted our plans to discover the Troodos mountains solo, and booked one other time out with Konstantinos for later within the journey!
Akamas Nationwide Park tour with children: Have to know
The tour takes round eight hours (roughly, so it’s greatest to maintain any plans afterwards versatile) and contains pick-up from numerous locations between Paphos and Coral Bay, which you’ll agree with Konstantinos upfront.
There’s area for a most of eight folks within the jeep, and do anticipate to be bumped round – the ahead dealing with seats are extra comfy, particularly should you’re taller. Lunch and low isn’t included within the worth of the tour.
Ebook tickets with free cancellation through GetYourGuide or you too can e-book direct at Cyprus Sunshine Safaris Excursions.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with children, try my prime picks
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